Shroud of Concealment (Jake Dillon Adventure Thriller Series) Read Online Free Page A

her.
    “I agree with you, Jake. These people only ever approach your firm, and in particular you, when they have a situation where they don’t want to get their hands dirty. For what it’s worth, I’d say leave it well alone.”
    Dillon stood up and put a hand out to her.
    “I suppose that I’m expendable at the end of the day. Well not this time, Dunstan. Find yourself another fool.”
    “Not to me, you’re not,” Havelock said, with as much sincerity as he could muster. “I thought we had a good working friendship, and in all the years that we’ve known each other, I’ve always tried to ensure that you were paid the highest rate. You can hardly say that I’ve been using you.”
    “It’s never been for the money; you know that, Dunstan.”
    “I know it’s not the money.”
    “So tell me then, why would I be interested this time? As yet you’ve not even told me what’s on offer.”
    “Only more money, I’m afraid. And, of course, the thanks and appreciation of HM Government.”
    “They can stick that where the sun don’t shine.”
    “When you were in the Intelligence Corp it was Government money that trained you. When you dropped in and out of all of those exotic locations for weeks on end, who paid the enormous expense accounts that you managed to run-up? And who paid for the experience that you gained along the way that has made you what you are today?”
    “The point is, Dunstan, I’m not really sure that I like who I am anymore, or what I do today.”
    Underneath the table cloth, Issy slipped her hand in his and gently squeezed it.
    Dillon turned his head slightly towards her and immediately saw the knowing smile that she was giving him.
    Dillon looked across the circular table at Dunstan Havelock, adjusted his tie and said, “If you promise not to speak politico bullshit I’ll listen to what you have to say.” Havelock nodded and leant his stocky figure forward over the table as if he had stomach ache.
    “A painting by Vermeer that was stolen along with others from a museum in Boston on March 18, 1990 has possibly turned up in a private collection in Dorset.”
    “Dorset? Where exactly?”
    “The Sandbanks peninsula. I’m informed that it’s allegedly in a private collection and that the man who has it lives in one of those very large architect designed properties located right on the ocean’s doorstep.”
    Havelock leant back, took off his jacket and hooked it over the corner of his chair. As he looked at Havelock sitting across the table, the bland expression on Dillon’s face was impregnable.
    “Sounds intriguing. Go on.”
    “Well, that’s it really. Except that the person who has it is known to associate with certain criminal elements, both here in the UK and the US.”
    Dillon remained silent; taking in the details that he’d just been given.
    After a while, he said, “If you know where this painting is, why don’t you simply pay this character an early morning visit and ask him where he got it from and from whom?”
    “Good point, Jake. But, unfortunately, it’s not that simple. You see, he’s extremely well-connected in certain quarters of the city, as well as in India and Pakistan, and the trade that he generates for the UK is vast. The Home Secretary would rather we avoided any form of high-handed approach or official enquiry.”
    Dillon leant back in his chair, looked at Issy, who smiled reticently back at him, and said, “It’s beyond my remit, I’m afraid. Dunstan lost me about five minutes ago, and now I’m as confused as you are.”
    “So what makes you so sure that I’d find out anything more?”
    Havelock sipped his Champagne and eventually said, “Your dumb-wittedness will not put me off, Jake. You’ve got contacts from all walks of life, and they’re dotted around all over the place. And I know from old that you can call them to arms when required to.”
    “What you mean, Dunstan, is that I know numerous people with dubious talents, and some of